Ann The Gran Community

Hi, I'm going to make a flannel throw for baby and need advice on which stabilizer I should use.  Thanks

Hi, Deb.

Here is a chart that may be of help:  http://www.diamondthreadworks.com/stabilizer_chart.htm 

A few hints:

Some, if not all flannel needs to be pre-shrunk before embroidering. 

Cut a two inch square from the flannel and test it for shrinkage by swishing it in warm water. a bit of detergent and then machine dry.  Re-measure when dry to check for shrinkage. 

Always stitch a sample, using the same fabric, stabilizer and design.

Best wishes for many successful and fun filled projects.

Pattiann

I would use a layer of water soluble underneath and a layer of water soluble on the top of it,Ann's water soluble is the best I have used for this type of project. It is a bit thicker than most you buy(most are see through,Ann's is not) I would also use a size 75/11 sharp needle,as it leaves smaller needle holes in the fabric.

Hope this is helpful to you ,it you have more questions feel free to inquire.

Judy

Pattiann's information is good but it does have some limitations.  For instance, it does not address the weight of the material which is a major consideration for stabilizers.

Judy is correct, you need both an over the top and under the bottom stabilizers.  Water soluble stabilizers (wss) are always a really good consideration for lots of projects, even it you are not planning to wash or rinse your project.

I invite you to check my stabilizer blog for more information.  I don't know of any place that has every piece of info for using stabilizers, so look around, 'bookmark' or mark 'favorite' information and realize we are always in a learning mode for machine embroidery (ME).

Your best bet is to do a test sew out of a similar fabric (from second hand stores), with the threads and design you plan to use.  You learn from that what is working for your project and more important, what is not working.  There is a ME saying that goes "There are two types of ME users.  Those who do a 'test sew out' of their project, and those who wish they had done a 'test sew out' of their project.

We all love to talk about ME and we all try to assist each other when possible.  Judy and I do blogs, her's is at Stitchin Shortcuts and she is very knowledgeable.

I hope you will place a photo of your completed project soon.  We love to comment and see the work of others.

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer

I use to make blankies out of flannel for my grand daughter. I would cut and serge a piece of flannel and then using crochet thread I would crochet a border of lace edging around it. I have to say I was a flannel fein at that time. Always searching fabric shops for different flannel designs.  Anyway getting to my point.... I embroidered a little design in the corner of some of them. Out of all the stabilizers I tried I found the cutaway to be the best. Since these blankies went through many washings and dryings the cutaway held up the best with no puckering or distorting. The stabilizer softened with washings also. I used solvy as a topping. I found that the flannel bias has a little stretch to it, so it pretty much told me that was the way to go. Babies are not usually naked under the blanket so I wouldn't think the cutaway would cause an issue. I did not use a very dense design so I was able to use1-2 pieces of the polymesh

This is just my experience. I thought I would pass it on. How I miss making those blankies...

Nancy

Thanks Nancy!

Another good stabilizer to use would be the Ann The Gran Soft Cutaway Which I use when making baby things, insuring that there is no way to harm baby at all. It is durable as well as economical. I have found all of Ann's stabilizer's to be of the best quality as well. You can get a 15 foot roll for as little as $9.99 with a club membership. Even her Cut away mesh is a bargain and is of the same high quality. I don't use anything but the ATG stabilizer's,as in all the years I have spent doing this, they are the best I have used. I am a particular fan of her water soluble as well. It is the best I have ever used for free standing lace projects,and I don't plug a product unless I have used it and love it. No they are not paying me to say this either,LOL.  I have just been around the block on stabilizers. I don't think there is one out there that I haven't tried.

Good Luck with your blankie! Please submit a photo of it when you get it done,we love to see what everyone has created!

Hi there again.  Just a quick question.  When I click on the link for Ann The Gran Soft Cutaway, it takes me to Tear Away product instead.  When I search, I can't find soft cutaway stabilizer at Ann the Gran.  Can you or someone point me to it.  Thanks.

This is for the heavy weight cutaway:  http://www.annthegran.com/Product.aspx?t=1&i=497

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer

Hi There debgamble,

I am so sorry that was my mistake totally, I must have been dozing at the keyboard here. You are correct it is the tear away,but,when I use it for flannel I do not tear it, I trim it around the design,because flannel is a bit stretchy. You can tear it away on other fabrics but I would not on the flannel.. I still use the soft though as it is very soft against baby's tender skin. another choice may be to use the no show mesh with a layer of the soft under it. I just did a t-shirt for hubby this way and he loved it because it is so soft.

 Again I do humbly  apologize ! You have permission to flog me 100 times!! These odd hours are catching up with me!!

Thanks for the clarification!!  I'll order some of the tear away right away.  I'll be putting a flannel backing on the throw so all should be OK.  You're a fountain of info and I'll pick your mind as I keep at ME if you don't mind.  Thanks again

Judy-Love your new avatar!  I wish I could see it a little larger, it is so fun!

You are so right, the softness is an important factor.  No flogging required. 

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer

Well what one are you seeing? I am still seeing the same one,LOL!

You are very welcome!!  Pick Away! I will do my best to answer questions for you.

You may also want to review this post.  I know that flannel and fleece are not the same, but they have similar components.  It never hurts to see what others are doing.

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer